Pepper hybrid PX11334879

ABSTRACT

The invention provides seed and plants of pepper hybrid PX11334879 and the parent lines thereof. The invention thus relates to the plants, seeds and tissue cultures of pepper hybrid PX11334879 and the parent lines thereof, and to methods for producing a pepper plant produced by crossing such plants with themselves or with another pepper plant, such as a plant of another genotype. The invention further relates to seeds and plants produced by such crossing. The invention further relates to parts of such plants, including the fruit and gametes of such plants.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to the field of plant breeding and, morespecifically, to the development of pepper hybrid PX11334879 and theinbred pepper lines SLY 113-1047 and SBY 29-384.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

The goal of vegetable breeding is to combine various desirable traits ina single variety/hybrid. Such desirable traits may include any traitdeemed beneficial by a grower and/or consumer, including greater yield,resistance to insects or disease, tolerance to environmental stress, andnutritional value.

Breeding techniques take advantage of a plant's method of pollination.There are two general methods of pollination: a plant self-pollinates ifpollen from one flower is transferred to the same or another flower ofthe same plant or plant variety. A plant cross-pollinates if pollencomes to it from a flower of a different plant variety.

Plants that have been self-pollinated and selected for type over manygenerations become homozygous at almost all gene loci and produce auniform population of true breeding progeny, a homozygous plant. A crossbetween two such homozygous plants of different genotypes produces auniform population of hybrid plants that are heterozygous for many geneloci. Conversely, a cross of two plants each heterozygous at a number ofloci produces a population of hybrid plants that differ genetically andare not uniform. The resulting non-uniformity makes performanceunpredictable.

The development of uniform varieties requires the development ofhomozygous inbred plants, the crossing of these inbred plants, and theevaluation of the crosses. Pedigree breeding and recurrent selection areexamples of breeding methods that have been used to develop inbredplants from breeding populations. Those breeding methods combine thegenetic backgrounds from two or more plants or various other broad-basedsources into breeding pools from which new lines and hybrids derivedtherefrom are developed by selfing and selection of desired phenotypes.The new lines and hybrids are evaluated to determine which of those havecommercial potential.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In one aspect, the present invention provides a pepper plant of thehybrid designated PX11334879, the pepper line SLY 113-1047 or pepperline SBY 29-384. Also provided are pepper plants having all thephysiological and morphological characteristics of such a plant. Partsof these pepper plants are also provided, for example, including pollen,an ovule, scion, a rootstock, a fruit, and a cell of the plant.

In another aspect of the invention, a plant of pepper hybrid PX11334879and/or pepper lines SLY 113-1047 and SBY 29-384 comprising an addedheritable trait is provided. The heritable trait may comprise a geneticlocus that is, for example, a dominant or recessive allele. In oneembodiment of the invention, a plant of pepper hybrid PX11334879 and/orpepper lines SLY 113-1047 and SBY 29-384 is defined as comprising asingle locus conversion. In specific embodiments of the invention, anadded genetic locus confers one or more traits such as, for example,herbicide tolerance, insect resistance, disease resistance, and modifiedcarbohydrate metabolism. In further embodiments, the trait may beconferred by a naturally occurring gene introduced into the genome of aline by backcrossing, a natural or induced mutation, or a transgeneintroduced through genetic transformation techniques into the plant or aprogenitor of any previous generation thereof. When introduced throughtransformation, a genetic locus may comprise one or more genesintegrated at a single chromosomal location.

The invention also concerns the seed of pepper hybrid PX11334879 and/orpepper lines SLY 113-1047 and SBY 29-384. The pepper seed of theinvention may be provided as an essentially homogeneous population ofpepper seed of pepper hybrid PX11334879 and/or pepper lines SLY 113-1047and SBY 29-384. Essentially homogeneous populations of seed aregenerally free from substantial numbers of other seed. Therefore, seedof hybrid PX11334879 and/or pepper lines SLY 113-1047 and SBY 29-384 maybe defined as forming at least about 97% of the total seed, including atleast about 98%, 99% or more of the seed. The seed population may beseparately grown to provide an essentially homogeneous population ofpepper plants designated PX11334879 and/or pepper lines SLY 113-1047 andSBY 29-384.

In yet another aspect of the invention, a tissue culture of regenerablecells of a pepper plant of hybrid PX11334879 and/or pepper lines SLY113-1047 and SBY 29-384 is provided. The tissue culture will preferablybe capable of regenerating pepper plants capable of expressing all ofthe physiological and morphological characteristics of the startingplant, and of regenerating plants having substantially the same genotypeas the starting plant. Examples of some of the physiological andmorphological characteristics of the hybrid PX11334879 and/or pepperlines SLY 113-1047 and SBY 29-384 include those traits set forth in thetables herein. The regenerable cells in such tissue cultures may bederived, for example, from embryos, meristems, cotyledons, pollen,leaves, anthers, roots, root tips, pistils, flowers, seed and stalks.Still further, the present invention provides pepper plants regeneratedfrom a tissue culture of the invention, the plants having all thephysiological and morphological characteristics of hybrid PX11334879and/or pepper lines SLY 113-1047 and SBY 29-384.

In still yet another aspect of the invention, processes are provided forproducing pepper seeds, plants and fruit, which processes generallycomprise crossing a first parent pepper plant with a second parentpepper plant, wherein at least one of the first or second parent pepperplants is a plant of pepper line SLY 113-1047 or pepper line SBY 29-384.These processes may be further exemplified as processes for preparinghybrid pepper seed or plants, wherein a first pepper plant is crossedwith a second pepper plant of a different, distinct genotype to providea hybrid that has, as one of its parents, a plant of pepper line SLY113-1047 or pepper line SBY 29-384. In these processes, crossing willresult in the production of seed. The seed production occurs regardlessof whether the seed is collected or not.

In one embodiment of the invention, the first step in “crossing”comprises planting seeds of a first and second parent pepper plant,often in proximity so that pollination will occur for example, mediatedby insect vectors. Alternatively, pollen can be transferred manually.Where the plant is self-pollinated, pollination may occur without theneed for direct human intervention other than plant cultivation.

A second step may comprise cultivating or growing the seeds of first andsecond parent pepper plants into plants that bear flowers. A third stepmay comprise preventing self-pollination of the plants, such as byemasculating the flowers (i.e., killing or removing the pollen).

A fourth step for a hybrid cross may comprise cross-pollination betweenthe first and second parent pepper plants. Yet another step comprisesharvesting the seeds from at least one of the parent pepper plants. Theharvested seed can be grown to produce a pepper plant or hybrid pepperplant.

The present invention also provides the pepper seeds and plants producedby a process that comprises crossing a first parent pepper plant with asecond parent pepper plant, wherein at least one of the first or secondparent pepper plants is a plant of pepper hybrid PX11334879 and/orpepper lines SLY 113-1047 and SBY 29-384. In one embodiment of theinvention, pepper seed and plants produced by the process are firstgeneration (F₁) hybrid pepper seed and plants produced by crossing aplant in accordance with the invention with another, distinct plant. Thepresent invention further contemplates plant parts of such an F₁ hybridpepper plant, and methods of use thereof. Therefore, certain exemplaryembodiments of the invention provide an F₁ hybrid pepper plant and seedthereof.

In still yet another aspect, the present invention provides a method ofproducing a plant derived from hybrid PX11334879 and/or pepper lines SLY113-1047 and SBY 29-384, the method comprising the steps of: (a)preparing a progeny plant derived from hybrid PX11334879 and/or pepperlines SLY 113-1047 and SBY 29-384, wherein said preparing comprisescrossing a plant of the hybrid PX11334879 and/or pepper lines SLY113-1047 and SBY 29-384 with a second plant; and (b) crossing theprogeny plant with itself or a second plant to produce a seed of aprogeny plant of a subsequent generation. In further embodiments, themethod may additionally comprise: (c) growing a progeny plant of asubsequent generation from said seed of a progeny plant of a subsequentgeneration and crossing the progeny plant of a subsequent generationwith itself or a second plant; and repeating the steps for an additional3-10 generations to produce a plant derived from hybrid PX11334879and/or pepper lines SLY 113-1047 and SBY 29-384. The plant derived fromhybrid PX11334879 and/or pepper lines SLY 113-1047 and SBY 29-384 may bean inbred line, and the aforementioned repeated crossing steps may bedefined as comprising sufficient inbreeding to produce the inbred line.In the method, it may be desirable to select particular plants resultingfrom step (c) for continued crossing according to steps (b) and (c). Byselecting plants having one or more desirable traits, a plant derivedfrom hybrid PX11334879 and/or pepper lines SLY 113-1047 and SBY 29-384is obtained which possesses some of the desirable traits of theline/hybrid as well as potentially other selected traits.

In certain embodiments, the present invention provides a method ofproducing food or feed comprising: (a) obtaining a plant of pepperhybrid PX11334879 and/or pepper lines SLY 113-1047 and SBY 29-384,wherein the plant has been cultivated to maturity, and (b) collecting atleast one pepper from the plant.

In still yet another aspect of the invention, the genetic complement ofpepper hybrid PX11334879 and/or pepper lines SLY 113-1047 and SBY 29-384is provided. The phrase “genetic complement” is used to refer to theaggregate of nucleotide sequences, the expression of which sequencesdefines the phenotype of, in the present case, a pepper plant, or a cellor tissue of that plant. A genetic complement thus represents thegenetic makeup of a cell, tissue or plant, and a hybrid geneticcomplement represents the genetic make up of a hybrid cell, tissue orplant. The invention thus provides pepper plant cells that have agenetic complement in accordance with the pepper plant cells disclosedherein, and seeds and plants containing such cells.

Plant genetic complements may be assessed by genetic marker profiles,and by the expression of phenotypic traits that are characteristic ofthe expression of the genetic complement, e.g., isozyme typing profiles.It is understood that hybrid PX11334879 and/or pepper lines SLY 113-1047and SBY 29-384 could be identified by any of the many well knowntechniques such as, for example, Simple Sequence Length Polymorphisms(SSLPs) (Williams et al., 1990), Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNAs(RAPDs), DNA Amplification Fingerprinting (DAF), Sequence CharacterizedAmplified Regions (SCARs), Arbitrary Primed Polymerase Chain Reaction(AP-PCR), Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLPs) (EP 534 858,specifically incorporated herein by reference in its entirety), andSingle Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) (Wang et al., 1998).

In still yet another aspect, the present invention provides hybridgenetic complements, as represented by pepper plant cells, tissues,plants, and seeds, formed by the combination of a haploid geneticcomplement of a pepper plant of the invention with a haploid geneticcomplement of a second pepper plant, preferably, another, distinctpepper plant. In another aspect, the present invention provides a pepperplant regenerated from a tissue culture that comprises a hybrid geneticcomplement of this invention.

Any embodiment discussed herein with respect to one aspect of theinvention applies to other aspects of the invention as well, unlessspecifically noted.

The term “about” is used to indicate that a value includes the standarddeviation of the mean for the device or method being employed todetermine the value. The use of the term “or” in the claims is used tomean “and/or” unless explicitly indicated to refer to alternatives onlyor the alternatives are mutually exclusive. When used in conjunctionwith the word “comprising” or other open language in the claims, thewords “a” and “an” denote “one or more,” unless specifically notedotherwise. The terms “comprise,” “have” and “include” are open-endedlinking verbs. Any forms or tenses of one or more of these verbs, suchas “comprises,” “comprising,” “has,” “having,” “includes” and“including,” are also open-ended. For example, any method that“comprises,” “has” or “includes” one or more steps is not limited topossessing only those one or more steps and also covers other unlistedsteps. Similarly, any plant that “comprises,” “has” or “includes” one ormore traits is not limited to possessing only those one or more traitsand covers other unlisted traits.

Other objects, features and advantages of the present invention willbecome apparent from the following detailed description. It should beunderstood, however, that the detailed description and any specificexamples provided, while indicating specific embodiments of theinvention, are given by way of illustration only, since various changesand modifications within the spirit and scope of the invention willbecome apparent to those skilled in the art from this detaileddescription.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The invention provides methods and compositions relating to plants,seeds and derivatives of pepper hybrid PX11334879, pepper line SLY113-1047 and pepper line SBY 29-384. The hybrid PX11334879 is producedby the cross of parent lines SLY 113-1047 and SBY 29-384. The parentlines show uniformity and stability within the limits of environmentalinfluence. By crossing the parent lines, uniform seed hybrid PX11334879can be obtained.

The sweet half-long yellow pepper hybrid PX11334879 developsmedium-strong plants with a very early set of fruit. The plants producea continuous set of uniform, dark green to bright yellow fruits. Thefruits are mostly four-lobed, and are very smooth and firm. The hybridis resistant to tobamo virus (P0), Potato virus Y (P0), Tomato spottedwilt virus (P0), which allows early transplanting of the hybrid, even inareas with high viral pressure.

A. Origin and Breeding History of Pepper Hybrid PX11334879

The parents of hybrid PX11334879 are SLY 113-1047 and SBY 29-384. Theline SBY 29-384 is known in the art and was the subject of EuropeanCommunity Plant Variety Office Certificate Grant No. 13339, of May 17,2004. The development of the parent lines can be summarized as follows:

SBY 29-384 is an F₁₀ descendant of parents RYL3RLT1, with source94LT3692 and Foundation Seeds introduction code FSP694-96 developed bypedigree selection. SBY 29-384 develops large leafy, compact plants. Theplants produce a concentrated set of firm, large big blocky yellow fruitwith a big and flat shoulder. The fruit have a thick wall. Plants areanthocyaninless. The inbred line is resistant to Tobamo virus (L1 gene;P0), Potato Virus Y (PVR 2.2 gene) and Tobacco etch virus.

SLY 113-1047 was developed by pedigree selection from an F₂ populationderived from an F₁ hybrid SVR 2905346, “LG57773-2382F5/SWYLT2282F1B2S2”.The male parent of hybrid SVR 2905346 is line SLY 29-463; and the femaleparent of hybrid SVR 2905346 is the F₅ LG57773-2382F5. “LG57773-2382F5”was developed from the original cross “L3G5717/451817058-7773”; L3G5717was and half long red normal anthers, fixed for L3 and BS1 genes; and451817058-7773 was half long yellow fixed for L1 and pvr2/2 andanthocyaninless. SLY 113-1047 develops large, leafy, upright plants. Theplants are anthocyaninless and produce a late maturing, heavy set offirm, deep yellow, mostly three- or four-lobed fruit. The inbred line isresistant to Tobamo virus (L1 gene; P0), Potato Y virus race zero(Pvr2/2) and the Tomato spotted wilt virus (Tsw gene; P0). The crossingand selections to create line SLY 113-1047 were made as follows:

-   December, Year 1 Collected F2 seed from self-pollination of the F₁    hybrid, sowed with stake number 98LT5885.-   May, Year 2 Planted the F2 line in a greenhouse with an insect-proof    net, as stake 99LT2939. Allowed self-pollination to occur. Six    selections were made.-   August, Year 3 Planted the F3 populations in a greenhouse with an    insect-proof net 99LT2939-1 as stake 00LT2677. Notes indicate that    the line developed a compact plant, with good production and regular    fruit. The plants produced a heavy set of firm, half-long, yellow,    smooth fruit. Allowed self-pollination to occur. Four selections    were made.-   August, Year 4 Planted F4 inbred in a greenhouse with an    insect-proof net 00LT2677-1 as stake 01LT2731. Notes indicate a    strong plant with firm half long pendant yellow fruit. Allowed    self-pollination to occur. Four selections were made.-   August, Year 5 Planted F5 inbred 01LT2731-1 in a greenhouse with an    insect-proof net as stake 02LT4341. Notes indicate a vigorous and    strong plant with a good production, continuous set of regular    pendant half long yellow fruit with a smooth shoulder and three    lobes. Allowed self-pollination to occur. Two selections were made.    The line was tested and fixed for Tomato spotted wilt virus (Tsw    gene; P0)-   August, Year 6 Planted F6 inbred 02LT4341-2 in a greenhouse with an    insect-proof net as stake 03LT5208. Notes indicate vigor plant, good    half long yellow fruits. Allowed self-pollination to occur. One    selection was made-   August, Year 7 Planted F7 inbred 03LT5208-1 in a greenhouse with an    insect-proof net as stake 04LT4944. Notes indicate a big plant, with    continuous set; with a firm and big half long yellow fruit. Allowed    self-pollination to occur. One selection was made-   January, Year 8 Planted F8 inbred 04LT4944-1 in a greenhouse with an    insect-proof net as stake 05LT1127. Notes indicate a big plant with    a heavy continuous set of smooth half long yellow with big shoulder.    Plants were uniform. Allowed self-pollination to occur. Seed was    then massed as 05LT1127-M. A selection of the massed progeny was    tested and the results confirmed that was fixed for Tobamo virus (L1    gene; P0), Tomato spotted wilt virus (Tsw gene; P0) and Potato Y    virus race zero.-   July, Year 8 05LT1127-M was submitted as SLY 113-1047.

The parent lines are uniform and stable, as there so is a hybridproduced therefrom. A small percentage of variants can occur withincommercially acceptable limits for almost any characteristic during thecourse of repeated multiplication. However no variants are expected.

B. Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of Pepper HybridPX11334879, Pepper Line SLY 113-1047 and Pepper Line SBY 29-384

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a plant having the physiological and morphologicalcharacteristics of pepper hybrid PX11334879 and Pepper line SLY113-1047. A description of the physiological and morphologicalcharacteristics of such plants is presented in Tables 1-2.

TABLE 1 Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of HybridPX11334879 Comparison Variety- CHARACTERISTIC PX11334879 Eppo 1. SpeciesC. annuum C. annuum 2. Maturity (in region of best adaptability) daysfrom transplanting until 64 64 mature green stage days fromtransplanting until 74 74 mature red or yellow stage days from directseeding until 128 128 mature green stage days from direct seeding until138 138 mature red or yellow stage 3. Plant habit compact compactattitude upright/erect (De upright/erect Cayenne, Doux très long desLandes, Piquant d'Algérie) plant height 62.5 cm 62.5 cm plant width 57.5cm 42.5 cm length of stem from cotyledon 19.5 cm 16.5 cm to first flowerlength of the third internode 42.5 mm 47.5 mm (from soil surface) lengthof stem long (Lipari, Marconi, Rouge long ordinaire) height tall(Century, Orias) basal branches many (4+) many (4+) branch flexibilitywillowy (Cayenne Long rigid Red) stem strength (breakage intermediateintermediate resistance) 4. Leaf length of blade long (Cupido, Dolmy,Encore, Mazurka, Monte) width of blade medium (Albaregia, Balaton,Danubia, Marconi, Merit) width 56 mm 62.5 mm length 122.5 mm 140 mmpetiole length 67.5 mm 52.5 mm color medium green dark green intensityof green color medium (Doux très long des Landes, Merit) mature leafshape ovate (Balico, Sonar) ovate leaf and stem pubescence absent absentundulation of margin very weak absent blistering very weak very weak 5.Flower peduncle: attitude semi-drooping (Blondy) flowers per leaf axil 11 calyx lobes 7 7 petals 7 7 diameter 12.5 mm 15.5 mm corolla colorwhite white corolla throat markings yellow yellow anther color yellowpurple style length same as stamen exceeds stamen self-incompatibilityabsent absent 6. Fruit group Bell (Yolo Wonder L.) Bell (Yolo Wonder L.)color (before maturity) green (California wonder, Lamuyo) intensity ofcolor (before dark maturity) immature fruit color dark green mediumgreen attitude/position drooping/pendent (De drooping/pendent Cayenne,Lamuyo) length medium (Fehér, Lamuyo) diameter Medium (Doux italien,Como di toro) ratio length/diameter medium (Adra, Cherry Sweet, Daniel,Delphin, Edino) calyx diameter 36 mm 31.5 mm fruit length 140 mm 125.5mm fruit diameter at calyx 75.5 mm 76 mm attachment fruit diameter atmid-point 70 mm 72.5 mm flesh thickness at mid-point 6.5 mm 5.5 mmaverage number of fruits per 11 13.5 plant % large fruits 21.5 (weightrange: 295 37.5 (weight range to 335 g) 260 to 305 g) % medium fruits41.5 (weight range: 235 36 (weight range to 275 g) 235 to 255 g) % smallfruits 37.0 (weight range: 150 26.5 (weight range to 195 g) 175 to 200g) average fruit weight 250 gm 246.5 gm fruit shape (longitudinalrectangular (Clovis, rectangular section) Nocera rosso) fruit shape(cross section, at quadrangular quadrangular level of placenta)sinuation of pericarp at basal medium (Duna, Banán) part sinuation ofpericarp excluding medium (Ursus) basal part texture of surface smoothor very slightly smooth or very wrinkled (Milord) slightly wrinkledcolor (at maturity) yellow (Golden calwonder, Heldor) mature fruit colororange-yellow orange-yellow glossiness medium/moderate medium/moderate(Cane doux extra hâtif, Lamuyo, Sonar) stalk cavity present (Bingor,Lamuyo) depth of stalk cavity very deep (Cancun, Cubor, Pablor, ShyBeauty) pedicel thickness 12.5 mm 9 mm pedicel shape curved curvedpedicel cavity present absent depth of pedicel cavity 9.5 mm 7 mm stalk:thickness medium (Doux italien, Surpas base shape cupped cupped shape ofapex blunt blunt shape Conical (Pimento) Conical (Pimento) set scatteredscattered depth of interloculary grooves medium (Clovis, shallow Lamuyo,Marconi) number of locules predominantly four and more Palio, PAZszentesi) % fruits with two locules   0%  5.50% % fruits with threelocules 30.0% 50.25% % fruits with four locules 64.5% 44.25% % fruitswith five or more  5.5%    0% locules average number of locules 3.7 3.39thickness of flesh medium (Fehér, Lamuyo) calyx: aspect non-enveloping/non-enveloping/ saucer-shaped saucer-shaped (Lamuyo, Sonar) pungencysweet sweet mg capsaicin per gram dry fruit 0 mg 0 mg Scoville units(dry fruit) 0 0 capsaicin in placenta absent (Sonar) glossiness moderatemoderate 7. Seed seed cavity length 90 mm 107 mm seed cavity diameter 59mm 66 mm placenta length 81.5 mm 108 mm number of seeds per fruit 202.51069 grams per 1000 seeds 8 gm 7.7 gm color yellow yellow 8. Anthocyaninseedling hypocotyl absent (Albaregia, moderate Albena) stem absentabsent node weak moderate leaf absent absent pedicel absent weak calyxabsent absent anther absent (Danza) fruit coloration absent (Lamuyo)absent *These are typical values. Values may vary due to environment.Other values that are substantially equivalent are also within the scopeof the invention.

TABLE 2 Physiological and Morphological Characteristics of Line SLY113-1047 Comparison Variety- CHARACTERISTIC SLY 113-1047 Eppo 1. SpeciesC. annuum C. annuum 2. Maturity (in region of best adaptability) daysfrom transplanting until 63 64 mature green stage days fromtransplanting until 73 74 mature red or yellow stage days from directseeding until 127 128 mature green stage days from direct seeding until137 138 mature red or yellow stage 3. Plant habit compact compactattitude upright/erect (De upright/erect Cayenne, Doux très long desLandes, Piquant d'Algérie) plant height 45.5 cm 62.5 cm plant width 37.5cm 42.5 cm length of stem from cotyledon 19 cm 16.5 cm to first flowerlength of the third internode 35 mm 47.5 mm (from soil surface) lengthof stem long (Lipari, Marconi, Rouge long ordinaire) height medium (HRF)basal branches many (4+) many (4+) branch flexibility rigid (YoloWonder) rigid stem strength (breakage intermediate intermediateresistance) 4. Leaf length of blade long (Cupido, Dolmy, Encore,Mazurka, Monte) width of blade medium (Albaregia, Balaton, Danubia,Marconi, Merit) width 60 mm 62.5 mm length 150 mm 140 mm petiole length65 mm 52.5 mm color dark green dark green intensity of green color dark(Dolmy, Tinto) mature leaf shape ovate (Balico, Sonar) ovate leaf andstem pubescence absent absent undulation of margin very weak absentblistering weak (Pusztagold) very weak 5. Flower peduncle: attitudesemi-drooping (Blondy) flowers per leaf axil 1 1 calyx lobes 6.5 7petals 6 7 diameter 13 mm 15.5 mm corolla color white white corollathroat markings yellow yellow anther color yellow purple style lengthexceeds stamen exceeds stamen self-incompatibility absent absent 6.Fruit group Bell (Yolo Wonder L.) Bell (Yolo Wonder L.) color (beforematurity) green (California wonder, Lamuyo) intensity of color (beforemedium maturity) immature fruit color medium green medium greenattitude/position drooping/pendent (De drooping/pendent Cayenne, Lamuyo)length medium (Fehér, Lamuyo) diameter medium (Doux italien, Como ditoro) ratio length/diameter medium (Adra, Cherry Sweet, Daniel, Delphin,Edino) calyx diameter 35 mm 31.5 mm fruit length 141 mm 125.5 mm fruitdiameter at calyx 68 mm 76 mm attachment fruit diameter at mid-point65.5 mm 72.5 mm flesh thickness at mid-point 5.5 mm 5.5 mm averagenumber of fruits per plant 11 13.5 % large fruits 37 (weight range: 23037.5 (weight range: to 275 g) 260 to 305 g) % medium fruits 34 (weightrange: 175 36 (weight range 235 to 200 g) to 255 g) % small fruits 29(weight range: 140 26.5 (weight range to 160 g) 175 to 200 g) averagefruit weight 212.5 gm 246.5 gm fruit shape (longitudinal rectangular(Clovis, rectangular section) Nocera rosso) fruit shape (cross section,at quadrangular quadrangular level of placenta) sinuation of pericarp atbasal weak (Donat) part sinuation of pericarp excluding medium (Ursus)basal part texture of surface smooth or very slightly smooth or verywrinkled (Milord) slightly wrinkled color (at maturity) yellow (Goldencalwonder, Heldor) mature fruit color orange-yellow orange-yellowglossiness medium/moderate medium/moderate (Cane doux extra hâtif,Lamuyo, Sonar) stalk cavity present (Bingor Lamuyo) depth of stalkcavity medium (Lamuyo, Magister) pedicel thickness 10.5 mm 9 mm pedicelshape curved curved pedicel cavity present absent depth of pedicelcavity 5 mm 7 mm stalk: thickness medium (Doux italien, Surpas baseshape cupped cupped shape of apex blunt blunt shape Conical (Pimento)Conical (Pimento) set concentrated scattered depth of interlocularygrooves shallow (Milord, shallow Topgirl) number of loculespredominantly four and more Palio, PAZ szentesi) % fruits with twolocules   0%  5.50% % fruits with three locules  3.5% 50.25% % fruitswith four locules 96.5% 44.25% average number of locules 3.95 3.39thickness of flesh medium (Fehér, Lamuyo) calyx: aspect non-enveloping/non-enveloping/ saucer-shaped saucer-shaped (Lamuyo, Sonar) pungencysweet sweet mg capsaicin per gram dry fruit 0 mg 0 mg Scoville units(dry fruit) 0 0 capsaicin in placenta absent (Sonar) glossiness moderatemoderate 7. Seed seed cavity length 105 mm 107 mm seed cavity diameter61.5 mm 66 mm placenta length 92 mm 108 mm number of seeds per fruit 7751069 grams per 1000 seeds 8.12 gm 7.7 gm color yellow yellow 8.Anthocyanin seedling hypocotyl absent (Albaregia, moderate Albena) stemabsent absent node absent (Albaregia) moderate leaf absent absentpedicel absent weak calyx absent absent anther absent (Danza) fruitcoloration absent (Lamuyo) absent *These are typical values. Values mayvary due to environment. Other values that are substantially equivalentare also within the scope of the invention.

C. Breeding Pepper Plants

One aspect of the current invention concerns methods for producing seedof pepper hybrid PX11334879 involving crossing pepper lines SLY 113-1047and SBY 29-384. Alternatively, in other embodiments of the invention,hybrid PX11334879, line SLY 113-1047, or line SBY 29-384 may be crossedwith itself or with any second plant. Such methods can be used forpropagation of hybrid PX11334879 and/or the pepper lines SLY 113-1047and SBY 29-384, or can be used to produce plants that are derived fromhybrid PX11334879 and/or the pepper lines SLY 113-1047 and SBY 29-384.Plants derived from hybrid PX11334879 and/or the pepper lines SLY113-1047 and SBY 29-384 may be used, in certain embodiments, for thedevelopment of new pepper varieties.

The development of new varieties using one or more starting varieties iswell known in the art. In accordance with the invention, novel varietiesmay be created by crossing hybrid PX11334879 followed by multiplegenerations of breeding according to such well known methods. Newvarieties may be created by crossing with any second plant. In selectingsuch a second plant to cross for the purpose of developing novel lines,it may be desired to choose those plants which either themselves exhibitone or more selected desirable characteristics or which exhibit thedesired characteristic(s) when in hybrid combination. Once initialcrosses have been made, inbreeding and selection take place to producenew varieties. For development of a uniform line, often five or moregenerations of selfing and selection are involved.

Uniform lines of new varieties may also be developed by way ofdouble-haploids. This technique allows the creation of true breedinglines without the need for multiple generations of selfing andselection. In this manner true breeding lines can be produced in aslittle as one generation. Haploid embryos may be produced frommicrospores, pollen, anther cultures, or ovary cultures. The haploidembryos may then be doubled autonomously, or by chemical treatments(e.g. colchicine treatment). Alternatively, haploid embryos may be growninto haploid plants and treated to induce chromosome doubling. In eithercase, fertile homozygous plants are obtained. In accordance with theinvention, any of such techniques may be used in connection with a plantof the invention and progeny thereof to achieve a homozygous line.

Backcrossing can also be used to improve an inbred plant. Backcrossingtransfers a specific desirable trait from one inbred or non-inbredsource to an inbred that lacks that trait. This can be accomplished, forexample, by first crossing a superior inbred (A) (recurrent parent) to adonor inbred (non-recurrent parent), which carries the appropriate locusor loci for the trait in question. The progeny of this cross are thenmated back to the superior recurrent parent (A) followed by selection inthe resultant progeny for the desired trait to be transferred from thenon-recurrent parent. After five or more backcross generations withselection for the desired trait, the progeny have the characteristicbeing transferred, but are like the superior parent for most or almostall other loci. The last backcross generation would be selfed to givepure breeding progeny for the trait being transferred.

The plants of the present invention are particularly well suited for thedevelopment of new lines based on the elite nature of the geneticbackground of the plants. In selecting a second plant to cross withPX11334879 and/or pepper lines SLY 113-1047 and SBY 29-384 for thepurpose of developing novel pepper lines, it will typically be preferredto choose those plants which either themselves exhibit one or moreselected desirable characteristics or which exhibit the desiredcharacteristic(s) when in hybrid combination. Examples of desirabletraits may include, in specific embodiments, high seed yield, high seedgermination, seedling vigor, high fruit yield, disease tolerance orresistance, and adaptability for soil and climate conditions.Consumer-driven traits, such as a fruit shape, color, texture, and tasteare other examples of traits that may be incorporated into new lines ofpepper plants developed by this invention.

D. Performance Characteristics

As described above, hybrid PX11334879 exhibits desirable traits, asconferred by pepper lines SLY 113-1047 and SBY 29-384. The performancecharacteristics of hybrid PX11334879 and pepper lines SLY 113-1047 andSBY 29-384 were the subject of an objective analysis of the performancetraits relative to other varieties. The results of the analysis arepresented below.

TABLE 3 Performance Characteristics For Hybrid PX11334879 TraitPX11334879 Baleno Bingor Tobamo virus (P0) resistance yes yes yes TomatoSpotted Wilt virus (p0) resistance yes no no Potato virus Y (p0) yes nono Fruit size large medium large Fruit wall thick medium medium Maturityearly early late

E. Further Embodiments of the Invention

In certain aspects of the invention, plants described herein areprovided modified to include at least a first desired heritable trait.Such plants may, in one embodiment, be developed by a plant breedingtechnique called backcrossing, wherein essentially all of themorphological and physiological characteristics of a variety arerecovered in addition to a genetic locus transferred into the plant viathe backcrossing technique. The term single locus converted plant asused herein refers to those pepper plants which are developed by a plantbreeding technique called backcrossing, wherein essentially all of themorphological and physiological characteristics of a variety arerecovered in addition to the single locus transferred into the varietyvia the backcrossing technique. By essentially all of the morphologicaland physiological characteristics, it is meant that the characteristicsof a plant are recovered that are otherwise present when compared in thesame environment, other than an occasional variant trait that mightarise during backcrossing or direct introduction of a transgene.

Backcrossing methods can be used with the present invention to improveor introduce a characteristic into the present variety. The parentalpepper plant which contributes the locus for the desired characteristicis termed the nonrecurrent or donor parent. This terminology refers tothe fact that the nonrecurrent parent is used one time in the backcrossprotocol and therefore does not recur. The parental pepper plant towhich the locus or loci from the nonrecurrent parent are transferred isknown as the recurrent parent as it is used for several rounds in thebackcrossing protocol.

In a typical backcross protocol, the original variety of interest(recurrent parent) is crossed to a second variety (nonrecurrent parent)that carries the single locus of interest to be transferred. Theresulting progeny from this cross are then crossed again to therecurrent parent and the process is repeated until a pepper plant isobtained wherein essentially all of the morphological and physiologicalcharacteristics of the recurrent parent are recovered in the convertedplant, in addition to the single transferred locus from the nonrecurrentparent.

The selection of a suitable recurrent parent is an important step for asuccessful backcrossing procedure. The goal of a backcross protocol isto alter or substitute a single trait or characteristic in the originalvariety. To accomplish this, a single locus of the recurrent variety ismodified or substituted with the desired locus from the nonrecurrentparent, while retaining essentially all of the rest of the desiredgenetic, and therefore the desired physiological and morphologicalconstitution of the original variety. The choice of the particularnonrecurrent parent will depend on the purpose of the backcross; one ofthe major purposes is to add some commercially desirable trait to theplant. The exact backcrossing protocol will depend on the characteristicor trait being altered and the genetic distance between the recurrentand nonrecurrent parents. Although backcrossing methods are simplifiedwhen the characteristic being transferred is a dominant allele, arecessive allele, or an additive allele (between recessive anddominant), may also be transferred. In this instance it may be necessaryto introduce a test of the progeny to determine if the desiredcharacteristic has been successfully transferred.

In one embodiment, progeny pepper plants of a backcross in which a plantdescribed herein is the recurrent parent comprise (i) the desired traitfrom the non-recurrent parent and (ii) all of the physiological andmorphological characteristics of pepper the recurrent parent asdetermined at the 5% significance level when grown in the sameenvironmental conditions.

New varieties can also be developed from more than two parents. Thetechnique, known as modified backcrossing, uses different recurrentparents during the backcrossing. Modified backcrossing may be used toreplace the original recurrent parent with a variety having certain moredesirable characteristics or multiple parents may be used to obtaindifferent desirable characteristics from each.

Many single locus traits have been identified that are not regularlyselected for in the development of a new inbred but that can be improvedby backcrossing techniques. Single locus traits may or may not betransgenic; examples of these traits include, but are not limited to,herbicide resistance, resistance to bacterial, fungal, or viral disease,insect resistance, modified fatty acid or carbohydrate metabolism, andaltered nutritional quality. These comprise genes generally inheritedthrough the nucleus.

Direct selection may be applied where the single locus acts as adominant trait. For this selection process, the progeny of the initialcross are assayed for viral resistance and/or the presence of thecorresponding gene prior to the backcrossing. Selection eliminates anyplants that do not have the desired gene and resistance trait, and onlythose plants that have the trait are used in the subsequent backcross.This process is then repeated for all additional backcross generations.

Selection of pepper plants for breeding is not necessarily dependent onthe phenotype of a plant and instead can be based on geneticinvestigations. For example, one can utilize a suitable genetic markerwhich is closely genetically linked to a trait of interest. One of thesemarkers can be used to identify the presence or absence of a trait inthe offspring of a particular cross, and can be used in selection ofprogeny for continued breeding. This technique is commonly referred toas marker assisted selection. Any other type of genetic marker or otherassay which is able to identify the relative presence or absence of atrait of interest in a plant can also be useful for breeding purposes.Procedures for marker assisted selection are well known in the art. Suchmethods will be of particular utility in the case of recessive traitsand variable phenotypes, or where conventional assays may be moreexpensive, time consuming or otherwise disadvantageous. Types of geneticmarkers which could be used in accordance with the invention include,but are not necessarily limited to, Simple Sequence Length Polymorphisms(SSLPs) (Williams et al., 1990), Randomly Amplified Polymorphic DNAs(RAPDs), DNA Amplification Fingerprinting (DAF), Sequence CharacterizedAmplified Regions (SCARs), Arbitrary Primed Polymerase Chain Reaction(AP-PCR), Amplified Fragment Length Polymorphisms (AFLPs) (EP 534 858,specifically incorporated herein by reference in its entirety), andSingle Nucleotide Polymorphisms (SNPs) (Wang et al., 1998).

F. Plants Derived by Genetic Engineering

Many useful traits that can be introduced by backcrossing, as well asdirectly into a plant, are those which are introduced by genetictransformation techniques. Genetic transformation may therefore be usedto insert a selected transgene into a plant of the invention or may,alternatively, be used for the preparation of transgenes which can beintroduced by backcrossing. Methods for the transformation of plantsthat are well known to those of skill in the art and applicable to manycrop species include, but are not limited to, electroporation,microprojectile bombardment, Agrobacterium-mediated transformation anddirect DNA uptake by protoplasts.

To effect transformation by electroporation, one may employ eitherfriable tissues, such as a suspension culture of cells or embryogeniccallus or alternatively one may transform immature embryos or otherorganized tissue directly. In this technique, one would partiallydegrade the cell walls of the chosen cells by exposing them topectin-degrading enzymes (pectolyases) or mechanically wound tissues ina controlled manner.

An efficient method for delivering transforming DNA segments to plantcells is microprojectile bombardment. In this method, particles arecoated with nucleic acids and delivered into cells by a propellingforce. Exemplary particles include those comprised of tungsten,platinum, and preferably, gold. For the bombardment, cells in suspensionare concentrated on filters or solid culture medium. Alternatively,immature embryos or other target cells may be arranged on solid culturemedium. The cells to be bombarded are positioned at an appropriatedistance below the macroprojectile stopping plate.

An illustrative embodiment of a method for delivering DNA into plantcells by acceleration is the Biolistics Particle Delivery System, whichcan be used to propel particles coated with DNA or cells through ascreen, such as a stainless steel or Nytex screen, onto a surfacecovered with target cells. The screen disperses the particles so thatthey are not delivered to the recipient cells in large aggregates.Microprojectile bombardment techniques are widely applicable, and may beused to transform virtually any plant species.

Agrobacterium-mediated transfer is another widely applicable system forintroducing gene loci into plant cells. An advantage of the technique isthat DNA can be introduced into whole plant tissues, thereby bypassingthe need for regeneration of an intact plant from a protoplast. ModernAgrobacterium transformation vectors are capable of replication in E.coli as well as Agrobacterium, allowing for convenient manipulations(Klee et al., 1985). Moreover, recent technological advances in vectorsfor Agrobacterium-mediated gene transfer have improved the arrangementof genes and restriction sites in the vectors to facilitate theconstruction of vectors capable of expressing various polypeptide codinggenes. The vectors described have convenient multi-linker regionsflanked by a promoter and a polyadenylation site for direct expressionof inserted polypeptide coding genes. Additionally, Agrobacteriumcontaining both armed and disarmed Ti genes can be used fortransformation.

In those plant strains where Agrobacterium-mediated transformation isefficient, it is the method of choice because of the facile and definednature of the gene locus transfer. The use of Agrobacterium-mediatedplant integrating vectors to introduce DNA into plant cells is wellknown in the art (Fraley et al., 1985; U.S. Pat. No. 5,563,055).

Transformation of plant protoplasts also can be achieved using methodsbased on calcium phosphate precipitation, polyethylene glycol treatment,electroporation, and combinations of these treatments (see, e.g.,Potrykus et al., 1985; Omirulleh et al., 1993; Fromm et al., 1986;Uchimiya et al., 1986; Marcotte et al., 1988). Transformation of plantsand expression of foreign genetic elements is exemplified in Choi et al.(1994), and Ellul et al. (2003).

A number of promoters have utility for plant gene expression for anygene of interest including but not limited to selectable markers,scoreable markers, genes for pest tolerance, disease resistance,nutritional enhancements and any other gene of agronomic interest.Examples of constitutive promoters useful for plant gene expressioninclude, but are not limited to, the cauliflower mosaic virus (CaMV)P-35S promoter, which confers constitutive, high-level expression inmost plant tissues (see, e.g., Odel et al., 1985), including in monocots(see, e.g., Dekeyser et al., 1990; Terada and Shimamoto, 1990); atandemly duplicated version of the CaMV 35S promoter, the enhanced 35Spromoter (P-e35S); 1 the nopaline synthase promoter (An et al., 1988);the octopine synthase promoter (Fromm et al., 1989); and the figwortmosaic virus (P-FMV) promoter as described in U.S. Pat. No. 5,378,619and an enhanced version of the FMV promoter (P-eFMV) where the promotersequence of P-FMV is duplicated in tandem; the cauliflower mosaic virus19S promoter; a sugarcane bacilliform virus promoter; a commelina yellowmottle virus promoter; and other plant DNA virus promoters known toexpress in plant cells.

A variety of plant gene promoters that are regulated in response toenvironmental, hormonal, chemical, and/or developmental signals can alsobe used for expression of an operably linked gene in plant cells,including promoters regulated by (1) heat (Callis et al., 1988), (2)light (e.g., pea rbcS-3A promoter, Kuhlemeier et al., 1989; maize rbcSpromoter, Schaffner and Sheen, 1991; or chlorophyll a/b-binding proteinpromoter, Simpson et al., 1985), (3) hormones, such as abscisic acid(Marcotte et al., 1989), (4) wounding (e.g., wunl, Siebertz et al.,1989); or (5) chemicals such as methyl jasmonate, salicylic acid, orSafener. It may also be advantageous to employ organ-specific promoters(e.g., Roshal et al., 1987; Schernthaner et al., 1988; Bustos et al.,1989).

Exemplary nucleic acids which may be introduced to plants of thisinvention include, for example, DNA sequences or genes from anotherspecies, or even genes or sequences which originate with or are presentin the same species, but are incorporated into recipient cells bygenetic engineering methods rather than classical reproduction orbreeding techniques. However, the term “exogenous” is also intended torefer to genes that are not normally present in the cell beingtransformed, or perhaps simply not present in the form, structure, etc.,as found in the transforming DNA segment or gene, or genes which arenormally present and that one desires to express in a manner thatdiffers from the natural expression pattern, e.g., to over-express.Thus, the term “exogenous” gene or DNA is intended to refer to any geneor DNA segment that is introduced into a recipient cell, regardless ofwhether a similar gene may already be present in such a cell. The typeof DNA included in the exogenous DNA can include DNA which is alreadypresent in the plant cell, DNA from another plant, DNA from a differentorganism, or a DNA generated externally, such as a DNA sequencecontaining an antisense message of a gene, or a DNA sequence encoding asynthetic or modified version of a gene.

Many hundreds if not thousands of different genes are known and couldpotentially be introduced into a pepper plant according to theinvention. Non-limiting examples of particular genes and correspondingphenotypes one may choose to introduce into a pepper plant include oneor more genes for insect tolerance, such as a Bacillus thuringiensis(B.t.) gene, pest tolerance such as genes for fungal disease control,herbicide tolerance such as genes conferring glyphosate tolerance, andgenes for quality improvements such as yield, nutritional enhancements,environmental or stress tolerances, or any desirable changes in plantphysiology, growth, development, morphology or plant product(s). Forexample, structural genes would include any gene that confers insecttolerance including but not limited to a Bacillus insect control proteingene as described in WO 99/31248, herein incorporated by reference inits entirety, U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,052, herein incorporated by referencein its entirety, U.S. Pat. Nos. 5,500,365 and 5,880,275, hereinincorporated by reference in their entirety. In another embodiment, thestructural gene can confer tolerance to the herbicide glyphosate asconferred by genes including, but not limited to Agrobacterium strainCP4 glyphosate resistant EPSPS gene (aroA:CP4) as described in U.S. Pat.No. 5,633,435, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety, orglyphosate oxidoreductase gene (GOX) as described in U.S. Pat. No.5,463,175, herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.

Alternatively, the DNA coding sequences can affect these phenotypes byencoding a non-translatable RNA molecule that causes the targetedinhibition of expression of an endogenous gene, for example viaantisense- or cosuppression-mediated mechanisms (see, for example, Birdet al., 1991). The RNA could also be a catalytic RNA molecule (i.e., aribozyme) engineered to cleave a desired endogenous mRNA product (seefor example, Gibson and Shillito, 1997). Thus, any gene which produces aprotein or mRNA which expresses a phenotype or morphology change ofinterest is useful for the practice of the present invention.

G. Definitions

In the description and tables herein, a number of terms are used. Inorder to provide a clear and consistent understanding of thespecification and claims, the following definitions are provided:

Allele: Any of one or more alternative forms of a gene locus, all ofwhich alleles relate to one trait or characteristic. In a diploid cellor organism, the two alleles of a given gene occupy corresponding locion a pair of homologous chromosomes.

Backcrossing: A process in which a breeder repeatedly crosses hybridprogeny, for example a first generation hybrid (F₁), back to one of theparents of the hybrid progeny. Backcrossing can be used to introduce oneor more single locus conversions from one genetic background intoanother.

Crossing: The mating of two parent plants.

Cross-pollination: Fertilization by the union of two gametes fromdifferent plants.

Diploid: A cell or organism having two sets of chromosomes.

Emasculate: The removal of plant male sex organs or the inactivation ofthe organs with a cytoplasmic or nuclear genetic factor or a chemicalagent conferring male sterility.

Enzymes: Molecules which can act as catalysts in biological reactions.

F₁ Hybrid: The first generation progeny of the cross of two nonisogenicplants.

Genotype: The genetic constitution of a cell or organism.

Haploid: A cell or organism having one set of the two sets ofchromosomes in a diploid.

Linkage: A phenomenon wherein alleles on the same chromosome tend tosegregate together more often than expected by chance if theirtransmission was independent.

Marker: A readily detectable phenotype, preferably inherited incodominant fashion (both alleles at a locus in a diploid heterozygoteare readily detectable), with no environmental variance component, i.e.,heritability of 1.

Phenotype: The detectable characteristics of a cell or organism, whichcharacteristics are the manifestation of gene expression.

Quantitative Trait Loci (QTL): Quantitative trait loci (QTL) refer togenetic loci that control to some degree numerically representabletraits that are usually continuously distributed.

Resistance: As used herein, the terms “resistance” and “tolerance” areused interchangeably to describe plants that show no symptoms to aspecified biotic pest, pathogen, abiotic influence or environmentalcondition. These terms are also used to describe plants showing somesymptoms but that are still able to produce marketable product with anacceptable yield. Some plants that are referred to as resistant ortolerant are only so in the sense that they may still produce a crop,even though the plants are stunted and the yield is reduced.

Regeneration: The development of a plant from tissue culture.

Royal Horticultural Society (RHS) color chart value: The RHS color chartis a standardized reference which allows accurate identification of anycolor. A color's designation on the chart describes its hue, brightnessand saturation. A color is precisely named by the RHS color chart byidentifying the group name, sheet number and letter, e.g., Yellow-OrangeGroup 19A or Red Group 41B.

Self-pollination: The transfer of pollen from the anther to the stigmaof the same plant.

Single Locus Converted (Conversion) Plant: Plants which are developed bya plant breeding technique called backcrossing, wherein essentially allof the morphological and physiological characteristics of a peppervariety are recovered in addition to the characteristics of the singlelocus transferred into the variety via the backcrossing technique and/orby genetic transformation.

Substantially Equivalent: A characteristic that, when compared, does notshow a statistically significant difference (e.g., p=0.05) from themean.

Tissue Culture: A composition comprising isolated cells of the same or adifferent type or a collection of such cells organized into parts of aplant.

Transgene: A genetic locus comprising a sequence which has beenintroduced into the genome of a pepper plant by transformation.

H. Deposit Information

A deposit of pepper hybrid PX11334879 (DSV 2074) and inbred line SLY113-1047, disclosed above and recited in the claims, has been made withthe American Type Culture Collection (ATCC), 10801 University Blvd.,Manassas, Va. 20110-2209. The date of the deposits was Apr. 21, 2010.The accession numbers for those deposited seeds of pepper hybridPX11334879 and inbred line SLY 113-1047 are ATCC Accession No. PTA-10843and ATCC Accession No. PTA-10844. Upon issuance of a patent, allrestrictions upon the deposits will be removed, and the deposits areintended to meet all of the requirements of 37 C.F.R. §1.801-1.809. Thedeposits will be maintained in the depository for a period of 30 years,or 5 years after the last request, or for the effective life of thepatent, whichever is longer, and will be replaced if necessary duringthat period.

Although the foregoing invention has been described in some detail byway of illustration and example for purposes of clarity andunderstanding, it will be obvious that certain changes and modificationsmay be practiced within the scope of the invention, as limited only bythe scope of the appended claims.

All references cited herein are hereby expressly incorporated herein byreference.

REFERENCES

The following references, to the extent that they provide exemplaryprocedural or other details supplementary to those set forth herein, arespecifically incorporated herein by reference:

-   U.S. Pat. No. 5,378,619-   U.S. Pat. No. 5,463,175-   U.S. Pat. No. 5,500,365-   U.S. Pat. No. 5,563,055-   U.S. Pat. No. 5,633,435-   U.S. Pat. No. 5,689,052-   U.S. Pat. No. 5,880,275-   An et al., Plant Physiol., 88:547, 1988.-   Bird et al., Biotech. Gen. Engin. Rev., 9:207, 1991.-   Bustos et al., Plant Cell, 1:839, 1989.-   Callis et al., Plant Physiol., 88:965, 1988.-   Choi et al., Plant Cell Rep., 13: 344-348, 1994.-   Dekeyser et al., Plant Cell, 2:591, 1990.-   Ellul et al., Theor. Appl. Genet., 107:462-469, 2003.-   EP 534 858-   Fraley et al., Bio/Technology, 3:629-635, 1985.-   Fromm et al., Nature, 312:791-793, 1986.-   Fromm et al., Plant Cell, 1:977, 1989.-   Gibson and Shillito, Mol. Biotech., 7:125, 1997-   Klee et al., Bio-Technology, 3(7):637-642, 1985.-   Kuhlemeier et al., Plant Cell, 1:471, 1989.-   Marcotte et al., Nature, 335:454, 1988.-   Marcotte et al., Plant Cell, 1:969, 1989.-   Odel et al., Nature, 313:810, 1985.-   Omirulleh et al., Plant Mol. Biol., 21(3):415-428, 1993.-   Potrykus et al., Mol. Gen. Genet., 199:183-188, 1985.-   Roshal et al., EMBO J., 6:1155, 1987.-   Schaffner and Sheen, Plant Cell, 3:997, 1991.-   Schernthaner et al., EMBO J., 7:1249, 1988.-   Siebertz et al., Plant Cell, 1:961, 1989.-   Simpson et al., EMBO J., 4:2723, 1985.-   Terada and Shimamoto, Mol. Gen. Genet., 220:389, 1990.-   Uchimiya et al., Mol. Gen. Genet., 204:204, 1986.-   Wang et al., Science, 280:1077-1082, 1998.-   Williams et al., Nucleic Acids Res., 1 8:6531-6535, 1990.-   WO 99/31248

What is claimed is:
 1. A pepper plant comprising at least a first set ofthe chromosomes of pepper line SLY 113-1047, a sample of seed of saidline having been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-10844.
 2. Apepper seed comprising at least a first set of the chromosomes of pepperline SLY 113-1047, a sample of seed of said line having been depositedunder ATCC Accession No. PTA-10844.
 3. The plant of claim 1, which is ahybrid.
 4. The plant of claim 3, wherein the hybrid plant is pepperhybrid PX11334879, a sample of seed of said hybrid having been depositedunder ATCC Accession No. PTA-10843.
 5. A plant part of the plant ofclaim
 1. 6. The plant part of claim 5, further defined as a leaf, aovule, pollen, a fruit, or a cell.
 7. The plant part of claim 6, furtherdefined as a fruit.
 8. A pepper plant, or a part thereof, having all thephysiological and morphological characteristics of the pepper plant ofclaim
 1. 9. A pepper plant, or a part thereof, having all thephysiological and morphological characteristics of the pepper plant ofclaim
 4. 10. A tissue culture of regenerable cells of the plant ofclaim
 1. 11. The tissue culture according to claim 10, comprising cellsor protoplasts from a plant part selected from the group consisting ofembryos, meristems, cotyledons, pollen, leaves, anthers, roots, roottips, pistil, flower, seed and stalks.
 12. A pepper plant regeneratedfrom the tissue culture of claim 11, wherein said plant has all of thephysiological and morphological characteristics of the pepper plantcomprising at least a first set of the chromosomes of pepper line SLY113-1047, a sample of seed of said line having been deposited under ATCCAccession No. PTA-10844.
 13. A method of vegetatively propagating theplant of claim 1 comprising the steps of: (a) obtaining tissue capableof being propagated from a plant according to claim 1; (b) cultivatingsaid tissue to obtain proliferated shoots; and (c) rooting saidproliferated shoots to obtain rooted plantlets.
 14. The method of claim13, further comprising growing plants from said rooted plantlets.
 15. Amethod of introducing a desired trait into a pepper line comprising: (a)crossing a plant of line SLY 113-1047, a sample of seed of said pepperline having been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-10844, with asecond pepper plant that comprises a desired trait to produce F1progeny; (b) selecting an F1 progeny that comprises the desired trait;(c) crossing the selected F1 progeny with a plant of line SLY 113-1047to produce backcross progeny; and (d) repeating steps (b) and (c) threeor more times to produce selected fourth or higher backcross progenythat comprise the desired trait.
 16. A pepper plant produced by themethod of claim
 15. 17. A method of producing a pepper plant comprisinga transgene, the method comprising introducing a transgene into a plantof pepper hybrid PX11334879 or pepper line SLY 113-1047, a sample ofseed of said hybrid and line having been deposited under ATCC AccessionNo. PTA-10843 and ATCC Accession No. PTA-10844, respectively.
 18. Aplant produced by the method of claim
 17. 19. A plant of pepper hybridPX11334879 or pepper line SLY 113-1047 further comprising a transgene, asample of seed of said hybrid and line having been deposited under ATCCAccession No. PTA-10843 and ATCC Accession No. PTA-10844, respectively.20. A seed that produces the plant of claim
 19. 21. A plant of pepperhybrid PX11334879 or pepper line SLY 113-1047 further comprising asingle locus conversion, wherein the plant otherwise comprisesessentially all of the morphological and physiological characteristicsof a plant of pepper hybrid PX11334879 or pepper line SLY 113-1047, asample of seed of said hybrid and line having been deposited under ATCCAccession No. PTA-10843 and ATCC Accession No. PTA-10844, respectively.22. A seed that produces the plant of claim
 21. 23. A method forproducing a seed of a pepper plant derived from pepper hybrid PX11334879or pepper line SLY 113-1047 comprising the steps of: (a) crossing apepper plant of hybrid PX11334879 or line SLY 113-1047 with a secondpepper plant; a sample of seed of said hybrid and line having beendeposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-10843 and ATCC Accession No.PTA-10844, respectively; and (b) allowing seed of a hybrid PX11334879 orline SLY 113-1047-derived pepper plant to form.
 24. The method of claim23, further comprising the steps of: (c) crossing a plant grown fromsaid hybrid PX11334879 or line SLY 113-1047-derived pepper seed withitself or a second pepper plant to yield additional hybrid PX11334879 orline SLY 113-1047-derived pepper seed; (d) growing said additionalhybrid PX11334879 or line SLY 113-1047-derived pepper seed of step (c)to yield additional hybrid PX11334879 or line SLY 113-1047-derivedpepper plants; and (e) repeating the crossing and growing steps of (c)and (d) to generate at least a first further hybrid PX11334879 or lineSLY 113-1047-derived pepper plant.
 25. The method of claim 23, whereinthe second pepper plant is of an inbred pepper line.
 26. The method ofclaim 24, further comprising: (f) crossing the further hybrid PX11334879or line SLY 113-1047-derived pepper plant with a second pepper plant toproduce seed of a hybrid progeny plant.
 27. A method of producing apepper comprising: (a) obtaining a plant according to claim 1, whereinthe plant has been cultivated to maturity; and (b) collecting a pepperfrom the plant.
 28. The method of claim 27, wherein the plant is a plantof pepper hybrid PX11334879, a sample of seed of said hybrid PX11334879having been deposited under ATCC Accession No. PTA-10843.
 29. A methodof producing pepper seed comprising crossing the pepper plant of claim 1with itself or a second pepper plant.